Ch. 141..150
Chapter 141 - 141: If you keep talking, I'll get goosebumps
Though they came under the pretense of interest, it became obvious: all four visitors in the conference room were there for one thing—the Egg of Memory.
Even when art dealer Shoichi Inui offered 800 million yen, Shiro Suzuki remained unmoved. With polite firmness, he asked the four to leave the office, promising to "discuss the matter later."
Once they were gone, and after Hayashi Yoshiki and his group took their seats, Suzuki Shiro ordered his secretary to bring out the Egg of Memory for everyone to admire.
The moment the case opened, it drew a collective breath.
It was—without question—a masterpiece.
"This egg is documented in the imperial archives. The name 'Egg of Memory' is actually an English translation from Russian."
"In Russian, it's Mospomenil—which means memory."
Suzuki Shiro pulled out a book as he explained.
Inside the egg, visible through the ornate crystal walls, was a miniature model of Emperor Nicholas II's family. The emperor appeared to be flipping through a book, with his wife and daughters smiling by his side.
"Why does reading a book represent 'memory'?" Conan asked curiously.
"Simpleton," Kogorō Mōri scoffed. "Gathering the kids to read together is obviously a treasured family memory!"
"Or maybe," Yoshiki offered with a smile, "he's flipping through a photo album."
He pointed to the glittering fragments embedded inside the shell.
"Are those gems?"
"Glass," Shiro replied.
"Eh? But this was a gift from the emperor to the queen, right? Shouldn't it be made of something more precious?"
"Well, when the 51st egg was made, Russia was already in a financial crisis. That might explain it."
Suzuki Shiro answered candidly.
"Stranger than that, though…" Hattori Heiji interjected, rubbing his chin, "...is Kaito Kid's notice. Something about a glowing sky loft? Why would Osaka Castle glow?"
Although the letter had been in their possession for days, parts of the riddle still eluded interpretation.
Kaito Kid's Preview Letter
[From the lion at dusk to the girl at dawn][The clock without a second-hand reaches the 12th word][Descend from the bright sky tower and collect the Egg of Memory]— The Magician Kaito Kid at the End of the World
Even Conan was deep in thought.
But out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Hayashi Yoshiki, who was—oddly enough—relaxed. He was admiring the egg with a serene smile and even asked permission to photograph it, as though the cipher meant nothing to him.
Moments later, Inspector Nakamori Ginzo and a senior Osaka police captain arrived.
Following some heated discussion, the group—misled by Kogorō's "deduction"—agreed that the "12th word" referred to the 12th letter of the alphabet, L, and deduced that Kaito Kid would strike at 3:00 a.m.
The "bright sky tower" was assumed to be Osaka Castle.
Conan resisted the urge to facepalm.
Then he turned to Hayashi Yoshiki, voice casual and innocent.
"Hey, Yoshiki-nii, you've cracked the code already, haven't you?"
Hattori Heiji paused, surprised.
You too? You're good at deciphering codes?
Conan's look back said: It's terrifying how fast he is.
"Hmm. I'd say... maybe 7:20 p.m."
"What?!"
"The twelfth 'word' in the sentence 'From the lion at dusk to the girl at dawn' isn't alphabetical. It's actually '乀', the shorthand for 7:20 on a clock face. And besides Osaka Castle, don't forget about Tsutenkaku Tower—its top dome is used to display the weather forecast."
"..."
"Of course," Yoshiki added calmly, "I could be wrong. But even if I am, the original 3:00 a.m. defense plan won't be affected."
The room fell silent as everyone gawked at him.
Nakamori, who had developed respect for Yoshiki since their previous collaboration on the Sally Beth, nodded with determination.
"Alright! I'll assign officers to defend Tsutenkaku at 7:20 sharp! We'll catch Kaito Kid this time!"
"Excellent, Mr. Hayashi! That's our secret weapon!"
Shiro Suzuki clapped with excitement.
Meanwhile, Conan and Hattori exchanged glances, both inwardly groaning at being upstaged.
Secret Strategy and a Familiar Voice
To avoid making the Egg of Memory a target on display, Nakamori suggested secretly relocating it. Shiro Suzuki approved, and the plan was handed to the police.
As Yoshiki and Heiji exited the president's office, the group chatted about sightseeing when Yoshiki's phone rang.
"One sec—just need to take this."
He slipped into the restroom and answered.
"Why do you always betray me?!"
The voice was unmistakable: Kuroba Kaito.
"Because," Yoshiki replied, "I was paid to."
"Tch."
After the magician gathering, Kaito had accepted that Hayashi Yoshiki would always crack his codes—but that didn't mean he'd stop trying.
"You figured out where I am?"
"Let's see…" Yoshiki glanced over his shoulder. "You just left President Suzuki's office, didn't you? Lucky you got out—Nakamori's about to start inspecting everyone's faces."
"..."
"No response?"
"...."
"You were holding the egg just now, weren't you? Doesn't it feel like a shame you won't get to keep it?"
He paused.
"You've never shown interest in non-jewelry items. And yet you called yourself the 'Magician of the End of the Century' in the letter... That suggests something more."
"Ugh! Keep talking and I'll get goosebumps!"
Click.
Kaito Kid hung up.
Yoshiki smiled and slipped his phone away.
That guy disguised himself as Suzuki Shiro's secretary, retrieved the Egg of Memory from the vault, and presented it himself.
That's how he had gotten the drop on everyone—just as he had in the original version of events.
When Yoshiki rejoined the others, Ran approached him excitedly.
"Brother Yoshiki! Heiji and Kazuha said they want to take us to a special temple to pray for blessings. Want to come?"
"Sure."
He smiled, nodding without hesitation.
After all, he had nothing pressing to do for the moment.
It was only then that he remembered—strangely enough—fortunes and omens in this world… always seemed to come true.
Chapter 142 - 142: Strange Sign
"Oh! I drew a lucky number!"
They were now at Namba Hōtei Shrine, one of Osaka's most renowned shrines, famous for its blessings in attracting wealth, warding off misfortune, and ensuring safe journeys.
As the group opened their fortune slips, Ran exclaimed with delight.
"What good luck!"
"Let me see! Let me see!"
Toyama Kazuha and Suzuki Sonoko leaned in to read over her shoulder.
"It says something wonderful will happen during your trip."
"We are traveling! So accurate!"
"Well, this shrine is known for its effectiveness," Kazuha nodded.
Their excitement was contagious. After all, girls their age often found joy in horoscopes and tarot readings—simple fortunes that offered mystery and hope.
Standing slightly apart, Hayashi Yoshiki examined his fortune.
His brow lifted.
"Important time is in chaos, Fortunately, you are still trustworthy in the eyes of others. Under the writings that brew death, Even though the red eyes that bring death remain closed, Your superiority remains unshakable. Enjoy this intermission. The black spiderweb has been woven. The crow has no intention of spreading its wings and escaping."
A bad omen.
Yoshiki memorized it word-for-word before folding the slip neatly.
Just then, Hattori Heiji approached.
"So? What'd you get, little brother?"
"A 'small blessing.' Says if I act decisively, I might get good results."
He replied with a smile.
"Not bad."
Heiji rubbed his chin in thought.
Thanks to Yoshiki's tact, Ran and the others didn't grow suspicious. Instead, they cheerfully debated how to spend the rest of the afternoon.
Heiji suggested going out for dinner, and everyone agreed.
Before leaving, Yoshiki stepped aside to make a phone call.
"What? I'm busy!"
"Doing what?"
"Don't worry about it!"
Kuroba Kaito's irritated voice came through the line. In truth, he was currently installing explosives at a local power substation alongside his assistant, Terai Konosuke.
Though it was an extreme measure, Kaito was convinced of its utility. Hospitals had backup power. Operating rooms wouldn't be affected. He had planned for contingencies.
"Just to check... You're not seriously planting explosives at the power station, are you?"
Kaito froze.
Is he watching me?
Under Terai's confused gaze, Kaito started glancing around nervously.
"I was just wondering. Think about it—if all of Osaka Prefecture lost power, Nakamori would likely activate the backup generator to protect the Egg of Memory immediately. And even if hospitals aren't affected... the streets? No lights, no signals. Imagine the accidents. Emergency vehicles stuck in gridlock..."
"I-I didn't think it was that serious…"
Kaito's voice faltered. Guilt crept in.
"So you were going to blow up the substation?"
"Haha! No way! Of course not, you—!"
"Good. But that's not why I called."
"Huh?"
"You remember that group codenamed Poison, right? I've received word that someone named Scorpion is targeting you."
"Wait—Scooping? You mean Scorpion?"
"Look it up yourself."
"Hey—hey?!"
Before Kaito could ask more, Yoshiki hung up.
"Tsk…"
Frustrated, Kaito pocketed his phone. Across from him, Terai urged him to hurry—they only had four hours left until the planned 7:20 p.m. operation.
"We're not blowing up the station anymore, Grandpa Terai!"
"Eh? Then how will you pull it off tonight?"
"I'll manage!"
He grinned, but unease lingered in his chest.
Not only do I need to outsmart police stationed all over Tsutenkaku... I also have to dodge a sniper whose location is unknown.
Just thinking about it is exhausting...
Meanwhile, Hayashi Yoshiki, Ran, and the rest of the group headed to a restaurant.
Since there were six people, they took two cars. Yoshiki ended up riding with Conan and Hattori Heiji.
"Yoshiki-niisan," Conan asked, "do you have a plan for catching Kaito Kid?"
"Not yet."
"Really?" Heiji raised an eyebrow. "Conan told me that before you caught Kid on the Sally Beth, you were completely quiet—like the kind of guy who waits in silence, then makes a fortune."
"Did he say that?"
Conan, who had been about to scold Heiji for nearly saying Kudō, gave a sheepish laugh when Yoshiki glanced at him.
"N-No, no! Heiji's just making stuff up!"
"You two have a great rapport."
Yoshiki smiled, then added, "I don't have a solid idea yet. But if you ask me, instead of staking out Tsutenkaku with the police, it'd be smarter to stay near the Egg of Memory itself."
"But Nakamori took it away and hid it. He's not telling anyone where," Heiji noted.
"Exactly. Kaito Kid doesn't know either. So instead of guessing when and where he'll strike, why not treat finding the egg as a whole new puzzle—and beat him to it?"
His suggestion made both Conan and Heiji pause.
A new perspective.
Their eyes lit up with renewed interest.
Meanwhile, Yoshiki checked the time.
Still plenty of time until 7:20...
But something still lingered in the back of his mind—that strange fortune slip.
He hadn't forgotten it.
How did such an accurate—and ominous—fortune make its way into the shrine?
When I get the chance, I'll ask.
Chapter 143 - 143: Attack on Seiran Hoshi and New Test
At precisely 6:30 p.m., Hayashi Yoshiki returned to Namba Hōtei Shrine.
He hadn't joined Hattori Heiji and Conan in their pursuit of Kaito Kid. The magician thief already had enough trouble awaiting him tonight; it felt unnecessary—almost cruel—for Yoshiki to add more.
Waiting near the steps was the chief priest, who recognized him instantly.
"What brings you back, sir?"
Yoshiki bowed politely.
"Apologies for the intrusion, Mr. Gongshi. I wanted to ask… why was my fortune so different from everyone else's?"
The priest accepted the fortune slip with a curious expression. But as he read the text, his face shifted—confusion, followed by a furrowed brow, and then outright frustration.
"Please wait here a moment."
A few minutes later, he returned, dragging a junior high girl by the ear. She wore an eye patch over her right eye and a bandaged hand, though her exaggerated gestures and unbothered movements suggested her "injuries" were nothing but an act.
"I sincerely apologize," the priest said, flustered. "Sometimes I ask this child to help with writing fortunes. I had no idea she was sneaking in such nonsense!"
"What do you mean nonsense? That was awesome!"
Yoshiki blinked.
A chūnibyō... huh?
The girl struggled animatedly, clearly enjoying her little performance.
The stern, composed priest from earlier was now red with embarrassment. He rapped the girl on the head and forced her to bow in apology.
"No harm done," Yoshiki said, smiling gently. "In fact, I found it rather interesting. Among a sea of generic fortunes, I drew the only unique one. That must count for something."
The girl beamed at his words.
"See! I told you he'd understand! Big brother's got taste!"
"That doesn't mean you can sneak them into the box again!"
"What if I'm really careful and you don't notice—?"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
Yoshiki quietly excused himself before the girl earned any more smacks.
Still, a sliver of unease remained. With the existence of people like Koizumi Akako, Yoshiki didn't entirely disbelieve in spiritual power. Was this "mistaken fortune" truly a coincidence?
He checked his watch.
7:20 p.m.
Just as decoded from the preview letter, chaos erupted near Tsutenkaku Tower. Police mobilized, sirens rang through the streets, and spectators gathered in confusion.
Yoshiki took out his phone and calmly typed a message:
"Let's do it."
19:41 — Blood on the Wind
At a bridge near Osaka Port, Seiran Hoshi stood with her sniper rifle locked onto her target. In the shadows, disguised beneath layers of ordinary clothing, she had a perfect shot.
With a single press of the trigger, she fired—
And Kaito Kid plummeted from the sky, his glider failing like a bird with clipped wings.
A faint, satisfied smile curled her lips.
The Egg of Memory was now within reach.
As a descendant of Rasputin, the infamous "Mad Monk" of Russia's Romanov dynasty, Pu Siqinglan had long hunted down the imperial family's lost treasures. She had worried about competing bidders… but now? Kaito had unwittingly delivered her prize.
She packed up the rifle and ran toward where Kid had fallen.
But then—
Biu!
A brass bullet whizzed past her cheek.
She snapped her head toward the sound.
In the shadows stood a man with lifeless eyes, holding a silenced pistol. Something about his face was vaguely familiar—a wanted man, perhaps? A petty criminal?
Why was he targeting her?
As her mind raced, she drew her weapon and trained it on him. But just as she tightened her finger on the trigger, the man convulsed, dropping his gun, clutching his chest, and collapsing to the pavement, twitching violently.
What… just happened?
Pu Siqinglan stared in disbelief, her weapon still raised.
She didn't move closer. Something felt off.
Then, the sound of a skateboard cutting through the air reached her ears.
Looking up, she spotted a familiar small figure—a child in glasses, speeding down the road.
He saw it.
Pu Siqinglan's lips tightened.
Abandoning her pursuit, she retreated swiftly into the shadows.
Conan's Discovery
Conan reached the scene moments later.
There was no Kaito Kid.
But scattered on the ground were unmistakable clues:
A wounded dove.
A cracked Egg of Memory.
A single, broken monocle.
"Kid's monocle… Did he… get shot and fall into the sea?"
Conan looked toward the nearby water.
The night tide shimmered, deceptively calm.
Only distant sirens and gentle waves responded to his question.
Investigation Update
When police arrived, they retrieved the stolen Egg of Memory and identified a man collapsed on the bridge.
Their forensic analysis confirmed:
Gunpowder residue on his hands.
Cause of death: sudden cardiac arrest.
Back at his location, Hayashi Yoshiki received the report.
His eyes narrowed.
"A heart attack, huh?"
He already knew.
The attacker—Daigo Onoda—had been under his influence for over a week.
Not through the Death Note alone—but via hypnosis, manipulation, and mental conditioning.
The page read:
Name: Daigo OnodaActions:On August 15 at 3:00 p.m., arrives at Warehouse 6-51, Beika Town.Binds himself with available materials.Remains in place until the morning of August 23.Travels to Osaka Prefecture.Cause of Death: Suffocation at 17:36 on August 27.
But tonight's mission had been a deviation.
From August 15 to 23, Onoda had been subjected to illusion-based brainwashing—Yoshiki's attempt to create a "living puppet."
The question was simple:
If a person's cause of death is predetermined by the Death Note, can that person still function outside its parameters under the influence—perhaps as an undying soldier?
The answer?
No.
Even with layered hypnosis and forced compulsion, the Death Note's will was immutable. Once written, it could be manipulated slightly, but not overwritten.
Yoshiki recalled a previous experiment:
He scheduled someone to die by hanging.
Then, he pushed that person from a 20th-floor balcony before the scheduled time.
Result?
The person still died—but of cardiac arrest mid-fall, not hanging.
And so it was with Daigo Onoda.
I pushed too far.
Despite his control, the man's body obeyed the contracted death.
Chapter 144 - 144: Wonderful things will happen on this trip, and it really came true
By midnight, no definitive trace of Kaito Kid had been found.
Despite relentless efforts, the Osaka police had come up empty-handed in their search of the nearby waters. Whether the phantom thief was dead or alive remained unknown. In light of the theft and attempted recovery, the Suzuki Foundation canceled the public exhibition of the Egg of Memory and made arrangements to return it to Tokyo by cruise ship.
Among the passengers on this ship were:
Hayashi Yoshiki and his group.
The Russian ambassador and art dealer Sergei Ovchinnikov.
And a new face—Kosaka Natsumi, a woman determined to speak to President Suzuki personally.
She explained:
"My great-grandfather's name was Kiichi. He worked at Fabergé's workshop and married a Russian woman. After the revolution, they returned to Japan. My grandmother was born not long after… and she was their only child."
Recently, while sorting through old belongings, she had discovered something unusual—a blueprint drawn by her great-grandfather. Torn in half, the document was still mostly legible. She held it out with care.
The image on the paper mirrored the Egg of Memory that had just been recovered—but with one glaring difference: this version was inlaid with gemstones.
"This is the Egg of Memory, no doubt," Shiro Suzuki murmured, inspecting it.
"Maybe the gems just fell off?" Kogorō Mōri offered.
"No," said Hayashi Yoshiki, who carefully examined the blueprint. "Look at the alignment. This drawing isn't just torn—it's incomplete."
He gestured to the mismatched lines and disjointed text.
"I suspect we're looking at a design for two separate eggs."
Gasps filled the room.
Even Conan, quietly observing, picked up the Egg of Memory and began inspecting it more closely. Noticing a loose glass section at the bottom, he cleverly used his watch flashlight to project a hidden pattern onto the wall.
"That's… my family's castle in Yokosuka!" Natsumi gasped.
Apparently, the Kosaka family castle had appeared in numerous advertisements and brought in a considerable fortune. As the implication sunk in, a new theory emerged: there was a second egg, possibly hidden inside the Kosaka estate.
"If this one's encrusted with gemstones, it might be worth over 1.5 billion yen," Shoichi Inui muttered, eyes gleaming.
Natsumi looked at Yoshiki.
"Mr. Lin, would you accompany me to the castle after we arrive in Tokyo?"
"It sounds very interesting," Yoshiki replied with a charming smile.
From the side, Sonoko Suzuki elbowed Ran and whispered:
"Hey, what's with her staring at Yoshiki-kun like that? Don't tell me she's planning to make a move while treasure hunting?"
"You're overthinking it, Sonoko…"
"Nope. I've got a sixth sense about these things."
Kosaka Natsumi, perhaps remembering the famous "Sleeping Kogorō" in the room, then turned to ask him as well. Kogorō, clearly flattered, puffed his chest and agreed with a hearty:
"I'd be honored!"
Soon, the rest of the group—Seiran Hoshi, Hanchuan Ryū, and the Russian ambassador—all asked to tag along as well. Natsumi, generous by nature, gladly extended the invitation.
A castle full of strangers and secrets, Hayashi Yoshiki thought. Sounds like jackals circling prey…
Later that night, everyone returned to their cabins. Yoshiki checked his phone.
Still no reply from Kuroba Kaito.
He had texted after 9:00 p.m. the previous evening—nothing. And Hattori Heiji had gone quiet as well; after a motorcycle chase ended in a fall, he'd been hospitalized with a sprained ankle.
While unbuttoning his shirt to change clothes, Yoshiki mulled over the cryptic fortune he'd drawn the day before.
"Even the red eyes that bring death remain tightly closed…"
No doubt it referred to the Eye of Death. Yet his Death Note had no accompanying Shinigami, meaning he couldn't make the eye trade—even if he were willing to sacrifice half his remaining lifespan.
Just as he reached for another shirt—
Knock knock knock.
He opened the door.
"Swoosh~"
Hanchuan Ryū, the cocky photographer, whistled as he held a handheld camera.
"The bestselling author, shirtless? That clip would drive your fans crazy."
"Mr. Hanchuan," Yoshiki said, unfazed, "this behavior borders on voyeurism."
"C'mon, don't be so serious."
"Delete it."
"Tsk…"
Yoshiki handed him a business card—Kisaki Eri, the undefeated queen of the courtroom.
The color drained from Hanchuan's face.
"...Oh. Her?"
Without hesitation, he deleted the footage and slinked away.
Just then, Ran, Sonoko, and Natsumi Kosaka approached from the hallway.
"Is everything okay?" Ran asked.
"Just a minor annoyance," Yoshiki replied calmly.
But as they caught sight of his bare torso, still half-dressed, the three girls blushed furiously.
Yoshiki's physique—slender but muscular, perfectly balanced—seemed straight out of a photo shoot. Combined with his gentle features, it was a vision of masculine beauty that overwhelmed the senses.
"Excuse me. I'll change."
He smiled and stepped inside.
Outside, Sonoko clutched her face.
"X-Rated level eye-candy… This trip really did deliver a miracle."
"You're nosebleeding, Sonoko!"
"Quick, a handkerchief!" Natsumi pulled one from her pocket—but in her haste, she dropped it on the floor.
Chapter 145 - 145: Ran Mouri Luck
It was a peaceful afternoon at sea. Ran, Sonoko, and Kosaka Natsumi had come to invite Hayashi Yoshiki to join them for tea in the ship's lounge. Conan tagged along, arms folded and cheeks puffed in suspicion—as usual.
Just after Yoshiki stepped out of his cabin, Sonoko scurried back to her room to change clothes. The cause? Her enthusiastic reaction to seeing Yoshiki shirtless had left an unfortunate nosebleed on her top.
Once seated at the tea table, Natsumi Kosaka took a sip of Earl Grey and—unlike the high school girls across from her—spoke freely:
"I didn't expect Mr. Hayashi to have such a… well-maintained physique."
Sonoko nearly spat her tea in agreement, nodding so hard her earrings jingled. Ran gave a small, embarrassed smile, cheeks tinged with pink.
So that's what the fortune meant by 'something wonderful,' Ran thought, half amused, half mortified.
"Just the right amount," Natsumi added, savoring her tea.
"What are you talking about?" Seiran Hoshi, also present, looked curiously between them.
"Oh, nothing—just that Brother Hayashi was mid-change when we stopped by his room," Sonoko said casually.
"Ahhh, how unfortunate I missed that…" Seiran Hoshi sighed, resting her cheek in her palm. "Guess we'll have to rely on fortune next time. Perhaps when Ran draws the same lucky number?"
"Sonoko!" Ran gave her friend a playful whack as her face went bright red.
Meanwhile, Conan sat glumly on the sofa, stuffing two biscuits into his mouth. Hayashi Yoshiki really is a weird guy… why is he so admired, anyway?
He swallowed and asked the question that had been bothering him since last night:
"Hey, Yoshiki-nii… why didn't you chase after Kaito Kid yesterday?"
Yoshiki sipped his tea calmly.
"I was enjoying the night view of Osaka."
"Huh!?"
Conan stared in disbelief.
He and Hattori Heiji had nearly risked their necks chasing Kaito Kid, hoping to beat Hayashi Yoshiki at his own game—only to learn the man hadn't even bothered?
Yoshiki elaborated:
"I believe in you and Heiji-san. You two are capable enough on your own. Besides… once the code was cracked and the police had mobilized, it felt a bit unfair to Kid."
He smiled faintly.
"It's more interesting when it's a true one-on-one duel."
The table went quiet. Even Conan was speechless.
So he really does know who I am... and still calls me capable?
"Still," said Seiran Hoshi, "you cracked Kid's code so easily. That was impressive."
"Not quite 'easy.' I had to puzzle over it secretly, far from prying eyes."
Yoshiki shifted the conversation subtly.
"By the way, Ms. Seiran… are you of Russian descent? Your eyes are the same striking gray as Ms. Kosaka's. Quite beautiful."
"Ah, yes. My heritage is mixed—Chinese and Russian. I inherited these eyes from my grandmother."
"Fascinating. I've always been interested in Chinese history and culture."
"Then we must talk more, Mr. Hayashi," Seiran Hoshi purred, her eyes narrowing with amusement.
Despite being a notorious international sniper, she was still a woman, and she knew how to appreciate charm when she saw it. Just like Chianti, who continued to send Hayashi flirty threats over text.
But Hayashi had his own motives. He was trying to learn Seiran Hoshi's real name—a necessity if he ever needed to write it in the Death Note. "Seiran Hoshi" was a rearranged pseudonym derived from "Raspu-Jing," a nod to Rasputin, and therefore useless for his purposes.
"If there's a chance," he said politely, "I'd love to chat."
Cards, Luck, and Silent Calculations
After tea, they decided to play a game of Joker draw. Sonoko fetched a deck of cards with great enthusiasm.
It quickly became clear: Ran's luck was absurdly good. She almost never picked the Joker, and even when she did, the next player immediately took it from her. Watching closely, Hayashi Yoshiki began subtly guiding the flow of the game, placing the Joker in spots Ran was least likely to draw from.
"Hey," Sonoko finally realized, "every time I get the Joker, Yoshiki-nii never draws it!"
"That's because he's watching where you put it," Conan muttered, sipping juice.
"But I shuffle the cards after!"
"The number of shuffles, the card thickness… he's still figuring it out."
Hayashi Yoshiki laughed.
"Don't look at me like that. I can be quite competitive."
"Too much! This time I'm shuffling behind my back!"
Sonoko turned away and shuffled blindly. When she held out two cards, Yoshiki leaned back and asked:
"Ran, which one should I pick?"
"Eh!?" Ran blinked. "Um… the left?"
"Ran!" Sonoko hissed.
"Hah, I can't break your friendship over a card," Yoshiki chuckled. "I'll take the right one."
He flipped it.
"Red Joker," he announced.
Everyone gasped.
Once again, Ran had miraculously avoided the Joker—even by proxy.
Yoshiki narrowed his eyes ever so slightly.
Interesting. Ran's luck isn't just good… it might be manipulable.
What would happen, he wondered, if he subtly leveraged her luck via the Death Note?
He tested it again, placing the Joker in a spot calculated based on Kosaka Natsumi's card-drawing tendencies.
But before the next round could begin, Hanchuan Ryū wandered into the lounge with his camera. Seeing Yoshiki, he sneered, then turned sharply and walked out.
"What's his deal?" Sonoko muttered.
Hayashi Yoshiki remained silent, watching Ryū's retreating figure with a neutral expression.
This man… In the original ending, he never made it to the castle.
Perhaps it's time I adjusted the script.
Chapter 146 - 146: Changes After Writing Down the Name
In response to reader requests, I will try to translate three chapters a day, well translated, without any grammar or spelling problems.
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Evenings at sea are exceptionally calm.
A long streak of fiery clouds on the horizon cast a warm orange glow over the entire deck. The shimmering surface of the ocean reflected the colors of dusk in a breathtaking display.
Occasionally, the cries of seabirds echoed through the air.
Hayashi Yoshiki stood on the observation deck of the cruise ship, his clothes fluttering in the sea breeze.
After writing the name Kanekawa Ryu and the detailed cause of death on a sheet of white paper with a black pen, Hayashi Yoshiki released it from his hand. The wind immediately caught the paper, sweeping it out toward the sea.
With that paper, Kanekawa Ryu's remaining lifespan vanished into the waves.
"Yoshiki-niisan~~!"
Hearing someone call from the deck below, Hayashi Yoshiki smiled softly and waved in response.
He descended from the observation deck and stepped onto the main deck.
By now, nearly everyone had gathered. Familiar faces like Kogoro Mouri, Suzuki Shiro, and Ryu Sagawa had been relaxing on the deck since early morning, enjoying beers as they admired the seascape.
When Mouri Kogoro caught sight of the beautiful and graceful Natsumi Kousaka and the long-legged, alluring Seiran Hoshi in her qipao(Dress of Han Dinasty), he couldn't help but exclaim, "Woohoo!" as his eyes lit up with desire.
Seiran Hoshi didn't mind when Mouri offered to pour her a beer.
But just as she raised the glass to her lips, her eyes caught something: the necklace around Kanekawa Ryu's neck.
"Mr. Sagawa, that necklace—?!"
"As expected of a researcher of the Romanov dynasty, you noticed it?"
Sagawa Ryu grinned unpleasantly, but he generously removed the necklace and handed it to Seiran Hoshi to examine.
She inspected it closely.
Upon confirming its authenticity, she couldn't help but ask, "Could this be the ring of Maria, the third daughter of Nicholas II? Where did you obtain it?"
"Heh, I got it from a businessman who specializes in collecting treasures from the Romanov dynasty."
"A professional collector..."
That title instantly caught Seiran Hoshi's attention.
As a descendant of the sinister monk Rasputin, Seiran Hoshi's true objective was to recover the treasures she believed belonged to her lineage... A collector who possessed many Romanov relics ignited her greed immediately.
"Could you tell me this collector's name?"
"Heh heh…"
Sagawa Ryu chuckled. Seeing the impatience growing on her face, he rubbed his fingers together and said, "If you give me a little incentive, I might introduce you once we arrive in Tokyo."
What a despicable man!
Seiran had already planned to eliminate Sagawa Ryu tonight. Earlier that day, while photographing everything in sight, he had accidentally taken a picture of Rasputin's portrait in her room.
She couldn't risk anyone linking her to her ancestral identity.
Seeing her fall silent, Sagawa Ryu didn't seem to mind. Hands in his pockets, he stood and wandered back toward the cabins.
"Miss Seiran, are you really planning to talk to that guy?" Mouri asked.
"...Ah, well, it's a rare opportunity to examine other Romanov artifacts."
She nodded in response.
Hayashi Yoshiki, who had just joined them on the deck, smiled.
The cruise ship wouldn't reach Tokyo until tomorrow, and the group would spend the following day resting before heading to Natsumi Kousaka's castle in Yokosuka.
One day was enough.
The cruise ship docked at Tokyo Port the following morning.
After disembarking, Sagawa Ryu, who was still clutching his camera, approached Natsumi Kosaka—who was chatting happily with Ran and the others—and said:
"Miss Natsumi, I won't be going to your castle tomorrow."
"Eh? Oh… okay."
Kousaka Natsumi didn't press him. She was simply surprised.
"That's strange. He was so enthusiastic about visiting the castle yesterday," Conan remarked.
"Maybe he has something else important to do," Hayashi Yoshiki offered with a smile.
Sonoko took Ran by the hand and walked up eagerly. "Yoshiki-niisan, do you have any plans for today?"
"I think I'll rest at home and go for a workout later."
"I see…"
"Why? Were you two planning to go out?"
"Yeah, we were thinking of hanging out with Miss Natsumi." Ran replied with a cheerful smile.
"That sounds nice." Hayashi Yoshiki smiled. "Then enjoy yourselves. See you tomorrow."
Without giving them a chance to invite him, he turned and left swiftly.
Sonoko was slightly disappointed, but her spirits lifted at the thought of seeing him again the next day.
She, Ran, and Natsumi then considered inviting Seiran Hoshi, but the latter declined politely, picked up her luggage, and climbed into a taxi.
As soon as she got in, she pulled out her phone.
Seiran Hoshi: "I accept your price. Take me to the collector today."
Sagawa Ryu: "Why the rush?"
Sagawa Ryu: "You're lucky… the collector happens to be available. How about the day after tomorrow?"
Seiran Hoshi: "No, today."
Today was non-negotiable.
She had already planned to flee the moment she obtained the Egg of Memories from the castle. A bloodbath might ensue, and there wouldn't be time to run afterward.
If she could kill the collector and steal his treasures tonight, that would be ideal.
Sagawa Ryu: "Tsk, alright!"
Sagawa Ryu: "Then meet me at the entrance of Beika Library at 7 p.m. I'll take you there."
Seiran Hoshi: "Okay."
She would kill him tonight.
It wasn't even about the photos anymore—she simply couldn't let someone with that kind of knowledge walk free.
At 7:00 p.m., Seiran Hoshi stood at the entrance of Mihua City Library.
A white car slowly pulled up beside her. The window rolled down, and Sagawa Ryu whistled.
"Tsk tsk, didn't expect to see a beautiful woman waiting for me on the street. Hop in."
"Hmph, you better not be lying."
"Haha, as if. If I'm lying, may I die in a car crash?"
Seated beside him, Seiran didn't respond. Her hand discreetly reached into her bag, ready to draw her pistol and aim it straight at his forehead if necessary.
Sagawa Ryu stepped on the accelerator.
"Let's go. We've got a bit of a drive to the outskirts."
Chapter 147 - 147: I’m Really Glad to See You, Miss Seiran
A white car sped down the highway at night.
Throughout the drive, Sagawa Ryu revealed the full extent of his obnoxious personality—swearing, cutting lanes, and honking—causing Seiran Hoshi to frown in irritation.
Still, she endured it.
After all, she planned to kill him soon.
The farther they got from the city, the quieter Seiran became.
Just as she started to wonder whether Sagawa Ryu was deceiving her—and at the same time anticipating the treasure she might seize—he, seemingly relaxed with one hand on the wheel, suddenly muttered, "Hmm?"
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Sagawa Ryu didn't respond immediately.
He frowned and tapped the brake pedal a few times, but the speedometer needle didn't budge. His expression abruptly turned serious.
"I can't slow down… What's going on?"
"Something's wrong!"
"The brakes aren't working!"
His alarmed tone made Seiran Hoshi sit up straight.
She watched as he repeatedly slammed the brake pedal to no effect. The speedometer continued to climb.
"Shift to neutral—now!" she shouted.
"I freakin' know! I tried!!"
"The handbrake—wait, there's a curve up ahead!!"
"Damn—!"
Snapping his focus to the road, Sagawa Ryu gripped the steering wheel. The scenery outside blurred by, and the curve loomed rapidly ahead—
Panicked, he swerved.
The car's front tires howled as they turned sharply, barely managing the turn. Just as Sagawa Ryu began to relax, the vehicle barreled forward again—straight toward another sharp curve.
Seiran's body tensed. Her killer instincts told her this was a disaster she couldn't control.
"Ahhh! No! The handbrake, pull it!!!"
Screaming, Sagawa Ryu stomped on the useless brakes again and yanked the handbrake.
But the car had already lost balance during the earlier swerve. The second he pulled the brake, the high-speed tires locked. The unstable frame twisted violently—
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The heavy car flipped over completely.
Metal shrieked against the asphalt. Seiran Hoshi felt her vision spin wildly. Pain slammed into her body from multiple angles. Her breath caught.
The airbags deployed.
Still strapped into her seat, Seiran felt dizzy. A warm, sticky trickle slid down her forehead.
Blood.
Damn it!
She clenched her teeth. In her entire career as an assassin, she had never felt so humiliated.
She twisted violently, trying to unbuckle her seatbelt and escape—there was a gun hidden on her, and if police were drawn to the scene, her identity would be exposed.
"You're quite a sight, Scorpion."
!!!
A voice echoed inside the vehicle, startling Seiran Hoshi.
Hanging upside-down, blood rushing to her head, she looked toward the driver's seat. Sagawa Ryu's body lay limp, face smeared with blood. From the breast pocket of his shirt, his phone screen glowed blue.
Someone was on the line.
Who!?
No—this was a trap!?
A wave of dread washed over her. She froze, holding her breath.
"Trying to fake unconsciousness?"
"Unfortunately for you, I can easily tell you're still conscious."
"But that's okay."
"In fact, it's more convenient for me this way."
"So..."
"What will you choose?"
The mysterious voice threw her into a spiral of confusion.
Moments passed.
As she tried to shift her position, she demanded, "Who are you?"
"..."
No response.
Finally freeing herself, Seiran Hoshi fell from the seat with a thud. The warped wreckage of the car, strewn with shards of broken glass, made movement agonizing.
That's when she heard it—
Footsteps.
Calm, deliberate footsteps...
Looking up, she saw a tall figure crouching outside the vehicle. The familiar, smiling face made her pupils dilate.
Hayashi Yoshiki.
"Good evening, Miss Seiran."
"I'm really glad to see you…"
"But it's time for you to sleep now."
His voice was soft, almost scholarly.
In her final conscious moment, she saw Hayashi Yoshiki take out a peculiar mask that covered the lower half of his face.
A red glow blinked from the device in his glasses.
—It was the Spider's Illusion Mask.
Seiran had unknowingly been inhaling hypnotic gas since she first got into Sagawa Ryu's car.
Her mind slipped into a haze.
Her vision blurred. Her muscles slackened. Already weakened from injuries and blood loss, she was now completely helpless before Hayashi Yoshiki.
Once he confirmed she was fully unconscious, Hayashi Yoshiki pulled her from the wreckage with effort.
Her red cheongsam was torn in several places. Her body was scratched and bruised, but none of the injuries were life-threatening.
As for Sagawa Ryu—he was already dead.
A flying shard of glass had sliced through his carotid artery during the crash. He had already lost consciousness from the impact before he even began to bleed out.
This area had no surveillance.
Hayashi Yoshiki placed Seiran into a different vehicle he had prepared earlier. After checking the time and confirming everything was aligned, he got in and drove away swiftly.
No one would notice.
To prevent attention from locals or emergency services, he had used the Death Note to prepare further distractions around the area. It would be at least twenty minutes before anyone discovered the accident.
Hayashi Yoshiki drove back toward the city.
Along the way, he pulled out his phone and dialed Kaito Kuroba.
Beep... beep... beep—
No answer.
He typed a message instead:
"If you keep playing dead, I won't give you the rest of the intel."
A second later—
His phone rang.
"Hey, my dear Yoshiki~ What do you need from me?"
Chapter 148 - 148: Don’t Go Too Far, Hayashi Yoshiki!
The castle belonging to Natsumi Kousaka's family was breathtaking.
Having been rented out for commercial shoots, both the exterior of the castle and the surrounding estate had been meticulously restored and cleaned. At first glance, it radiated opulence and elegance.
"It's really beautiful…"
Standing at the entrance, Ran looked up at the structure, her eyes full of admiration.
Beside her, Sonoko nodded repeatedly in agreement.
But then she glanced at the elegant watch on her wrist and muttered, "Why isn't Brother Yoshiki here yet?"
"Well, the beautiful Miss Seiran hasn't shown up either."
Kogoro Mouri considered this important. That stunning figure in a red cheongsam from two days ago had left quite an impression.
Ran immediately gave her father a deadpan stare.
A car soon ascended the winding road to the castle—but it was a familiar yellow Beetle.
"Hey~ Conan!"
Professor Agasa stepped out, with several kids in tow. Mitsuhiko and Genta waved proudly at Conan.
He sighed. Clearly, they had snuck into the car without permission.
Kogoro scowled at the young trio and sternly warned them to stay outside the castle. The three mischievous kids, including Ayumi, all responded with innocent smiles: "Okay~~"
Meanwhile, Ai Haibara scanned the area.
"Where's Yoshiki?"
"I don't know. He hasn't arrived yet," Conan replied.
But just as they spoke, a sleek silver Mercedes-Benz E-W210 rolled into view.
Hayashi Yoshiki stepped out quickly.
"Sorry—I took a wrong turn. Luckily, I'm not too late."
"It's fine. Everyone's still busy admiring the castle—eh?"
Everyone froze when they saw Seiran Hoshi stepping out of the passenger seat beside him.
"Why is Miss Seiran in Yoshiki's car?"
"Hehe, Mr. Mouri, that question…"
Seiran Hoshi covered her mouth and smiled softly, a hint of shyness playing on her lips—just enough to spark misunderstanding.
The middle-aged detective looked at Hayashi Yoshiki with envy, while Sonoko clutched her head.
"What?! It's only been one day…!"
"..."
Ai Haibara observed Seiran silently. She truly was beautiful—tall, with flawless skin, and exotic mixed-race features.
Of course.
No man with normal taste would reject a woman like that.
Behind her, Ayumi pouted, clearly upset.
Yoshiki chuckled gently. "Miss Seiran, please don't tease them like that."
"I was just joking," she replied sweetly.
Some present sighed in relief.
With everyone accounted for, Natsumi Kousaka and her butler led the group into the castle.
Built in the early 20th century, the castle was filled with artistic flourishes—exquisite reliefs and portraits that were clearly authentic. It was a testament to the immense wealth of the Kousaka family.
Meanwhile, art dealer Shoichi Inui took the opportunity to sneak into the studio under the pretense of using the restroom. He located the hidden treasury, cracked the lock, and attempted theft—only to be caught red-handed by a hidden security system.
The others followed the alarm and arrived just in time to see Shoichi Inui handcuffed, with a professional lockpicking kit by his side.
Click—
"We've photographed the evidence."
"What Mr. Shoichi has committed is burglary."
"According to the law, stealing property of significant value carries a prison sentence of three to ten years—and possibly fines."
"My aunt's an excellent lawyer."
"With this much evidence, we could push for maximum sentencing... Miss Natsumi, something to consider."
Hayashi Yoshiki handed her a business card.
Natsumi took it instinctively.
"This... this is a misunderstanding!"
Shoichi Inui's face turned pale. Jail? He didn't want that!
"What's the point of saying that now? Adults should know better," Kogoro snorted.
The group left him behind for the time being and proceeded to the study, where they finally located the entrance to the basement.
Their journey went smoothly.
Without any threats from the Scorch soldiers, they quickly reached the deepest chamber, where they found the coffin of Natsumi's great-grandmother—and another red Egg of Memory inside.
The Egg, studded with gemstones and carved with dazzling designs, stunned everyone with its beauty.
But when opened—it was empty.
"Empty!?"
"How could that be—!"
"It really is empty."
"Eh?"
When Hayashi Yoshiki spoke, Kogoro Mouri and the Russian ambassador Sergei Ovchinnikov turned toward him in astonishment.
Conan also furrowed his brow.
Yoshiki smiled. "I suspected as much when I noticed the two eggs shown in Miss Natsumi's diagrams didn't match. The difference in size—and the special glass underneath—made me think of Russian nesting dolls."
"…Nesting dolls."
"It's possible. There's a groove inside this egg!" the ambassador exclaimed.
"Then where's the missing egg!?"
"I have it."
Everyone turned as Sonoko raised her hand.
"Sonoko?" Ran blinked in surprise.
"Yoshiki messaged me and explained. So I brought it along. As expected of him!"
Grinning, she pulled another Egg of Memory from her bag as if it were a mere toy. The Russian ambassador received it with solemn caution.
The green egg slotted neatly into the red one.
When light filtered through the crystal base and was refracted by the glass and gemstones, a projection of Emperor Nicholas II and his family appeared on the wall.
A collective gasp filled the room.
Natsumi Kousaka was stunned. It was her first time seeing her great-grandmother's image.
"That's why it's called the Egg of Memory… A truly remarkable invention. Mr. Kousaka Kiichi was a magician of his era."
"…My great-grandfather would've been honored to hear that," she said, smiling softly at Hayashi Yoshiki.
Ambassador Ovchinnikov was equally moved. After a moment, he made a surprising declaration:
"Russia will relinquish its claim to this Egg of Memory. Miss Kousaka, it will have more meaning in your hands."
"Thank you... but the egg belongs to the Suzuki family—"
"Leave that to me. I'll talk to my father," Sonoko said with a reassuring pat. "The ambassador is right—no one deserves it more than you."
"...Thank you, Sonoko."
The room was filled with joy.
Seiran Hoshi, standing off to the side, applauded gently and genuinely smiled for Natsumi.
Soon after, everyone returned to the surface.
The police had arrived to arrest Shoichi Inui, —Professor Agasa had called them. The Junior Detective League hadn't entered the basement because of the secret passage, which was fortunate.
With the affair resolved, everyone began to leave.
"I'll take Miss Seiran home first. See you all later."
"Okay, Yoshiki—drive safely!"
With a wave goodbye, Hayashi Yoshiki stepped on the gas.
The silver car disappeared down the road.
In the passenger seat, Kaito Kuroba—still in disguise as Seiran—lowered the makeup mirror and smirked at his reflection.
"So, what's next, Mr. Yoshiki?"
"How about grilled fish?"
"…Can you please stop suggesting fish every time?"
His face dropped, and he reached up to remove the mask—revealing his real, handsome face.
Hayashi Yoshiki snapped several photos on his phone.
Kaito's eyes widened. "What are you doing!?"
"Just amused. You in a cheongsam with bare legs? Too good."
"Delete those!"
"Don't worry. I won't leak them. And even if I do, I'll ask them to keep it secret."
"DELETE THEM!"
Kaito, now flustered and furious, lunged to grab the phone—but Yoshiki pinned him down with one hand.
"This is good for you."
"Hah!?"
"Now I won't need to threaten you with your ichthyophobia."
"Don't go too far, Hayashi Yoshiki!!!"
Kaito shrieked like a drenched cat.
Yoshiki only smiled.
"By the way, any thoughts on Shoichi Inui's fate?"
"...Tch."
Kaito had no sympathy for the greedy, talentless thief.
Yoshiki dropped him off in Ekoda City.
During the drive, Kaito tried everything to steal and delete the photos, but Yoshiki was always two steps ahead. He even backed up the photos to his email.
That devil!
Kaito cursed all the way home.
Later, Hayashi Yoshiki returned to Beika Town. Before heading in, he stopped at a convenience store to grab a bento.
"Ah, Mr. Yoshiki~!"
A sweet female voice called out in surprise.
Looking up, Hayashi recognized her.
"Good evening, Miss Reiko Shimizu."
"You actually remember me?"
"Of course. You left quite the impression at the book signing."
He smiled warmly, voice smooth and gaze fixed.
"There were too many people there. I regret not asking for your contact info."
"…Really?"
Blushing, Reiko Shimizu exchanged contact details with him.
But Yoshiki didn't linger—he had business elsewhere.
As he left, Reiko turned back and smiled brilliantly.
She had always been fascinated by crime.
In college, she led her Crime Research Club and once orchestrated a heist on an armored car. But those plans were childish. What she truly wanted… was something worthy of a famous mystery novelist.
Later that night, Hayashi Yoshiki arrived at a hidden underground room.
Carrying his bento, he entered the dark basement.
"Good evening, Miss Seiran."
"..."
Bound hand and foot, Seiran Hoshi looked up, instantly alert. "You have Spider's equipment… Are you with them!?"
"You know the illusionist?"
Yoshiki's face lit up—not with cruelty, but pure delight.
It was a truly joyful smile.
But those cold, depthless eyes made Shizuka shiver.
"So you are one of the codenamed members… Scorpion. This is great news."
"..."
She held her breath.
This man wasn't just dangerous because of his skills—his spirit was terrifying.
In those smiling, colorless eyes, there was a darkness deep enough to consume everything.
Chapter 149 - 149: Don’t Be So Surprised and Blame Everything on Cointreau!
More than half a month later—
A black car sped through the city streets at night.
In the passenger seat sat Gin, calmly cleaning his pistol.
Vodka, focused and alert, handled the wheel.
Lately, Vodka had been driving more frequently—not because he preferred it, but because Gin's beloved Porsche 356A hadn't been returned yet. Gin didn't seem interested in ordinary modern sedans.
Though truth be told, Vodka found this car much easier to handle than that old relic—but he kept that opinion to himself.
"Step on it. We've got more to do after this," Gin ordered coolly.
"Got it."
Vodka pressed harder on the accelerator.
Navigating the city traffic with precision, he overtook the cars ahead so smoothly that the vehicle barely swayed.
But just as he rounded a corner and neared the next intersection, a fully loaded truck in front of them suddenly overturned.
SCREECH!
Vodka slammed the brakes.
The inertia flung Gin slightly forward in his seat.
"Is it Cointreau!?" Vodka exclaimed.
"..." Gin narrowed his eyes, scanning the scene. After a few seconds of silence, he replied coldly, "Don't jump to conclusions and blame everything on Cointreau."
"…Right. Just an accident, I guess."
Vodka let out a breath of relief.
He eased the car around the toppled truck and continued on.
After more than half an hour of driving, they arrived at an apartment building. Just as they pulled up, their target emerged from the building, casually checking his phone.
Vodka accelerated slightly and tailed him.
Kitamura Wataru didn't notice the car at first. It wasn't until it slowed to match his pace and the passenger window rolled down that he realized something was wrong—
BANG!
A bullet pierced straight through his skull.
He crumpled to the ground.
Gin and Vodka stepped out of the car. Vodka knelt down to search the body and reached for the phone—when suddenly:
"Wait!"
A sharp instinct surged through Gin. His pupils contracted.
With a powerful kick, he launched Vodka aside—just as a sniper bullet grazed where Vodka's head had been.
"Sniper!?" Vodka cried out in shock.
Gin scanned the surroundings, his mind racing. Amid the urban sprawl of high-rises, he pinpointed the shooter's position almost instantly.
Roughly 700 yards out!
His right eye throbbed with tension. The sniper had locked on to it.
"Heh… Clever. I walked into a trap…"
Gin grinned with murderous glee. The hatred in his eyes seemed to radiate.
It was a trap.
A low-level pawn had been sacrificed to lure him in—then a hidden sniper tried to finish the job.
So, they thought they could kill him from long range?
How insulting.
He scoffed.
BANG!
From a rooftop far away, a muzzle flashed.
But Gin had already moved.
Even before the sniper's trigger finger twitched, Gin's body had twisted away, avoiding the fatal shot to his right eye.
The bullet struck the ground, sparks flying.
"Aniki!"
Vodka leaped toward the driver's seat. The sniper adjusted quickly and fired again.
The first rushed shot hit the open car door.
The second struck Vodka's arm.
The third—aimed at Gin—barely clipped a strand of his hair as he dove into the vehicle.
Gin slammed the door. Vodka, wincing from the injury, floored the gas pedal.
The black car roared off.
Through her scope, Seiran Hoshi realized it was over. The mission had failed.
She dismantled the rifle methodically, descended the building, and left.
At the intersection, a man tried to chat her up. She ignored him, walked to her car, and drove away. When she stopped at a red light, she called.
"My mission failed."
"You're not hurt, are you?"
"No. I was disguised. No surveillance. At 700 yards, they won't trace me."
Her voice carried some frustration. "If I'd fired from 500 yards, I would've finished the job."
"Heh."
"Relax. I don't blame you."
"You did well, Miss Seiran."
The voice on the other end was soft and reassuring. Her grip on the phone loosened, her stormy gray eyes briefly distant.
"…Yes."
The call ended.
The red light turned green.
But Seiran Hoshi didn't step on the gas right away.
Meanwhile, in a second-floor apartment in Mihua Town—
Hayashi Yoshiki set his phone down, a faint smile curling his lips.
Seiran Hoshi, codenamed Scorpion, was indeed a member of the Zoo organization.
However, based on what she had confessed, her connection was more transactional than hierarchical. The boss of the Zoo would occasionally hire her for assassinations. In turn, she sometimes leveraged their resources for her own purposes.
This suggested that the Zoo didn't operate with the same tightly knit command structure as the Black Organization—the "Winery."
But Seiran had offered an interesting theory: the Zoo's enigmatic boss—whom Yoshiki jokingly referred to as "the zookeeper"—might also be the person behind the assassin platform they all used.
If that were true, then that person commanded a terrifying level of power.
"A platform for killers…"
Hayashi Yoshiki was intrigued.
He wanted to make the tension between the Zoo and the Winery boil over…
He genuinely hoped that Gin—who had narrowly escaped today—could handle the heat.
In truth, Hayashi didn't know Gin and Vodka's exact movements day by day. But by using the Death Note wisely, he could influence events with calculated precision.
[Name: Kitamura Wataru]Cause of death: GunshotDetails: At 21:47 on the night of November 13, he is shot and killed upon exiting his apartment after his identity is exposed.
Hayashi had written that line in the Death Note.
Kitamura was one of the low-tier operatives from the Zoo whose name Shizuka had provided.
By adding "due to identity exposure" to the cause of death, he greatly increased the chances that the Winery would eliminate Kitamura themselves.
All he needed to do was station Seiran at the location—to observe and stir the flames.
Of course, Hayashi had never expected her to succeed in killing Gin. That would've been too much to ask.
His goal was simply to fuel the war between two shadowy titans: the Winery and the Zoo.
Chapter 150 - 150: “HAYASHI!!!! YOSHIKI!!!”
"Hiss!!"
The sound of someone sharply inhaling echoed in the room.
When Hayashi Yoshiki entered, he was met with the sight of Vodka sitting shirtless, and beside him, Cohen calmly wrapping a bandage around his arm.
Usually covered by his black suit, Vodka's well-toned and overly muscular physique—riddled with scars—was now fully on display. It was the kind of build that might draw unwanted attention from either gender.
"Gunshot wound?"
Yoshiki raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What happened?"
"...We were tricked by that organization."
Vodka turned to him and explained, "I went with my brother today to kill a small rat from that group—turns out it was an ambush. A sniper was waiting."
"And then you got shot a few times and crawled back in disgrace?"
Chianti, holding a wine bottle, laughed mockingly as she strolled over, her arrogance making Vodka scowl.
Even though Vodka was often just Gin's punching bag, he still had some pride—especially when being ridiculed by Chianti.
"Well, what else? That sniper was 700 yards away, and their shooting is better than yours or Cohen's. We— hiss!!"
Cohen, unbothered, pressed on the wound again, causing Vodka to wince in pain.
Vodka glanced at Cohen's impassive expression and twitched in irritation but said nothing—after all, aside from Gin, Cohen was the only one here capable of handling bullet wounds, and Vodka wasn't about to bother Gin for medical care.
"700 yards… Impressive," Cohen commented in his usual emotionless tone.
"Hmph. If they were really that skilled, we wouldn't be here talking," Chianti scoffed, though her eyes grew noticeably sharper.
She and Cohen had been training their sniping daily in the organization's VR simulators, but their maximum range was still around 600 yards. They still had a ways to go.
"That sniper was good."
Gin entered at that moment, cold as ever. "But I've memorized their presence. If I ever sense it again, I'll kill them first."
Huh?
Yoshiki, who had remained silent until now, raised an eyebrow in thought.
He knew Gin's skills were fearsome, but at 700 yards, you couldn't even see the sniper's figure clearly with the naked eye—how could he claim to recognize their "presence"?
But of course, what Gin meant by "presence" wasn't scent or visual memory—it was something more abstract: aura, killing intent, the intangible essence of a person.
"But someone ambushing you like that... it means the target you went after was just bait," Yoshiki observed. "They exposed a pawn just to lure you into a kill zone."
"Ah…"
"So, what now? Do we pull back for a while?" he asked.
"Hah."
Gin chuckled darkly, glaring at Yoshiki. "If they want to play games, then I'll play until the end."
A cruel gleam flashed in his emerald eyes. He was seething with anticipation, eager to find the sniper and put a bullet between their eyes.
"That's wonderful to hear."
Yoshiki smiled faintly.
Based on Gin's reaction, he could already predict what the man would do next—counter-ambush. He would likely survey terrain in advance, set up a sting operation, and lure the Zoo's agents out, where he could destroy them.
Perfect.
Yoshiki now had plenty of Zoo pawns in his hands, thanks to Seiran Hoshi. More than enough to play a few new games.
Still, Seiran was too valuable to send out just yet.
Gin eyed his smile and growled, "This has nothing to do with you. Just go back to being a detective."
"...Haven't I always been one? A detective and a novelist," Yoshiki replied casually.
Once again, he played innocent, distancing himself from the incident. Gin just sneered.
Cohen finished bandaging Vodka's arm and looked over at Yoshiki.
"I finished your book," he said calmly. "That chapter where I died—very well-written. I liked it."
"THAT'S what you call reading a book?!"
Chianti snapped, visibly disgusted. "You've practically defiled that novel! Reading your own death scene over and over again is just gross!"
"Then you clearly don't understand me."
Cohen stood, peeled off his bloodied gloves, and walked toward the sink to wash his hands.
Chianti scoffed with a frustrated "Hmph!"
Yoshiki chuckled.
He hadn't seen Tequila today, but as if summoned, the door burst open, and in came Tequila—arms full of snacks in various shapes and sizes.
"Oi! Somebody help carry this!"
Tequila shouted in his Kansai dialect. Cohen, now with clean hands, moved to assist.
There was a lot of food.
Chianti cheered as she rummaged through the bags. "Finally, something to go with the wine!"
"Got any grilled squid?"
"I dunno, look for yourself!"
Even Gin walked over to take a look.
Yoshiki smiled, waved goodbye, and prepared to leave.
"Oi, brother! Not staying to eat?" Tequila asked, already munching on a skewer.
"No thanks. I've got something else to handle."
"We even bought McDonald's…"
"..."
Yoshiki stopped at the door.
Eventually, he turned back and grabbed a burger before heading out.
He drove straight to the Kindaichi Detective Agency.
Due to the popularity of his recent novel and the media buzz following the Beniko Suo case, Hayashi Yoshiki has become somewhat of a celebrity. Fans often lingered near the office, and occasionally, even paparazzi showed up.
Because of this, Yoshiki only came by late at night these days.
Tonight, the inbox was once again overflowing.
Love letters. Fan gifts. Letters of admiration, advice requests, television show invitations—and the occasional strange, inexplicable case file. The inbox was packed to the brim.
He put on gloves and carefully sorted through the items.
As he worked, he wondered whether it was time to hire an assistant—just someone to handle fan mail and keep things in order. Coming in person like this was getting troublesome.
Suddenly,
A letter slipped out from the pile.
He picked it up.
Written in large, furious red characters across the white paper were:
"HAYASHI!!!! YOSHIKI!!!"
So many exclamation points. So much force in the pen strokes. The sheer rage embedded in the handwriting was palpable.
Yoshiki narrowed his eyes and smirked.
He crushed the note into a ball and casually tossed it into the trash.
Who the hell sent me that?
Hard to say.
But... definitely amusing.